EXONERATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 65, 8 June 1927, Page 6

EXONERATED

OWNER OF MEMSAHIB APPEAL OF RIDER DISMISSED LONG DELIBERATION ON Saturday last at EUerslie, Mr. Mervyn Wells, owner, and W. H. Rei I, jockey, of the mare Memsahib were disqualified for 12 months following a decision of the stewards that the horse had not been run to win in the Hunt Club Cup. Both appealed, and yesterday afternoon, after a long deliberation, the Racing Committee upheld Mr. Wells’s appeal, but dismissed that of Reid, the jockey. • The District Committee mehibers who considered the appeal were:—Sir Edwin Mitclielson, the Hon. E. W. Alison, and Messrs. H. O. Nolan, J. M. Carpenter, M. M. McCallum, H. Rothery, and K. Rennie. Mr. E. A. Price represented the Auckland Racing Club s judicial stewards and the stipendiary stewards, Messrs. J. McMahon and A. P. Wilson, were also present. Evidence given at the first inquiry was traversed, and Mr. Wells detailed his instructions to the jockey to keep Memsahib back and conserve her powers. Fresh aspects introduced showed that Mr. Wells had not been made aware by the Auckland Club stewards that he was on trial and thought he was only called upon to explain Reid’s riding. It was also shown that Reid had been frightened by the possibility of the mare falling and hurting him if she was allowed to run along in the early stages. NEW EVIDENCE Fresh evidence was permitted to be introduced on Mr. Wells’s behalf. First, a qualified veterinary surgeon stated that Memsahib was very unsound and liable to break down at any time. Second, recognised authorities in bankers and totalisator proprietors stated that Mr. Wells was not a large bettor and that he did not bet with bookmakers; and third, that in the opinion of an expert trainer of jumpers Memsahib’s rider was given the correct instructions to win on Saturday. Mr. Wells reiterated that his was the full responsibility in regard to orders. After hearing considerable evidence that had not been before the stewards it was unanimously resolved: That the appeal of M. Wells against the decision of the Auckland Racing Club’s stewards be upheld and the £5 deposited by him be returned. The appeal of W. H. Reid, jockey, was dismissed and his £5 deposit was ordered to be returned to him. STEWARDS’ ARBITRARY POWERS “It may not be apparent to the average man,” said Mr. Wells, after the decision had been announced, “but the stewards of a racing club have most arbitrary powers. It is within their jurisdiction to take' way a man’s :~elfrespect and reputation, which are dearer to most of us than life itself. I think the time has come when all inquiries by stewards which concern the disqualification of any man, whether owner, trainer or jockey, should be held at a time when no racing is being carried on. In my own case, knowing that I was absolutely innocent, I did not think my connection with the alleged offence would be regarded in a serious light at all. As another of my horses was starting in the Great Northern Steeplechase of £2,250 within an hour, I was naturally anxious to get out of the stewards’ room, have a hasty lunch and see Wedding March race. My mind was full of these matters, and so must have been the minds of many of the stewards and other club officials, some of whom also had horses running. “Although a jockey, particularly an unknown junior, does not figure very high in the social scale, still he is a man whose riding is his living and his all, and I think he is as much entitled to the fullest consideration as the wealthiest owner among us. “Naturally,” said Mr. Wells, “I am pleased with the decision and it gives me great satisfaction to know that I am completely exonerated after an investigation lasting two and a-half hours.” FUTURE CLASSICS LISTS CLOSE ON FRIDAY AUCKLAND RACING CLUB Entries for the Auckland Racing Club’s classic events close on Friday next, at 5 p.m., with the secretary, Mr. W. S. Spence. TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB Nominations for the Takapuna Plate, to be run at the Takapuna Jockey Club’s spring meeting of 1927, close next Friday, at 5 p.m., with the secretary, Mr. R. Wynyard. AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB Nominations for Avondale Stakes of £I,OOO, Avondale Guineas (1928) of £I,OOO, and All-aged Stakes of £I,OOO close on Friday next, at 5 p.m., with the secretary, Mr. A. J. Farquhar.